Last year I attended Billy's tilefish seminar and I am finally getting around to building a tilefish rod for next spring. I picked up an inexpensive glass blank from TRL which can handle 4lbs after a 6"cut. I will then extend the butt by 6" to maintain the 7.5' length.

My questions pertain to guides and wrapping:

1. Is a roller top a good idea or should I just stick with a Fuji SIC stainless or Titanium top?
2. To spiral or not to spiral?
3. Should the butt guide also be a roller or just a tall guide like a Fuji HB?
4. Underwrap +1 or underwrap +2?

Any other guide recommendations would be appreciated. I don't need to spend huge bucks on the first one, but if the deep tile bug hits me I may be hitting Billy up for a seeker.

Thanks to all,

John

I would spiral wrap which takes the roller guides off the table (other than @#$%&).

Underwraps are optional but why not as the rod isn't a light weight thing anyhow. One overwrap of either A or D thread is plenty good. If two makes you feel better again the weight penaly is no biggie on such a rod.

Virtus guides in 316 are a solid value option. I'd save the SIC for one of Billy's seekers and the titanium guides for lighter class rods.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks.

I also considered the Virtus heavies with probably an SIC tip

I have built a few tilefish rods. I would say that spiral wrapping is a great idea. All that technical stuff about tapered blanks creating twist under load that is then converted to force helping the reel stay upright will come in to play big time with this type of fishing. I would further advocate the simple spiral. I don't use rollers ever i think with the advent of the sic ring they are dinosaurs being kept alive on a respirator. I feel weight is always an issue so keep it as light as possible( rollers are heavy). Those am tac guides listed above are a good choice i think. i put a cut down rail rod grip on mine so i can rest the rod the rail and crank because reeling in 400 feet on line gets old fast. I hope this was somehow helpful.

Spiral and no no no ro rollers anywhere on the rod.
All the ones I've build get an underwrap, and an overwrap that's it.